Launching a health coaching practice can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you find clients? What systems do you need? Do you need a website? An LLC? A perfect Instagram presence?
Here's the truth: You don't need everything figured out to start. You need a clear plan and consistent action. This 90-day roadmap breaks it down into manageable phases so you can go from "certified" to "with clients" in three months.
Days 1-30: Build Your Foundation
Week 1-2: Define Your Niche
The biggest mistake new practitioners make is trying to help everyone. "I help people get healthy" is not a niche—it's a recipe for invisibility.
Specialization is the key to standing out. Ask yourself:
- Who do you most want to help? (demographics, life situation, health concerns)
- What problems are you uniquely qualified to solve?
- Where does your passion meet market demand?
- What population do you understand intimately—perhaps because you've been there?
A niche like "gut health for busy professional women 35-50" is far more marketable than "general health coaching." That woman can see herself in your messaging. She thinks, "This is for ME."
Exercise: Write out 3-5 potential niches. For each, ask: Would I enjoy working with this population daily? Is there a clear pain point I can solve? Can they afford to pay for coaching?
Week 3-4: Create Your Signature Offer
Design a flagship program that delivers transformation. This becomes your core offer:
- What outcome do you promise? (Be specific: "Eliminate bloating and have consistent energy" is better than "improve gut health")
- How long does it take? Most meaningful health transformations need 8-12 weeks minimum
- What's included? Number of sessions, support between sessions, resources, assessments
- What's the investment? Price based on value delivered, not hours worked
Start with a 12-week program. This provides enough time for meaningful results while maintaining engagement. You can always create shorter or longer options later.
Pricing guidance: New coaches often undercharge dramatically. A 12-week program with weekly calls and support should be $1,500-3,000 minimum. If that feels scary, it's a sign you need to work on your money mindset—not lower your prices.
Days 31-60: Set Up Your Systems
Week 5-6: Build Your Tech Stack
You need fewer tools than you think. Essential only:
- Scheduling software — Acuity or Calendly (free tiers work fine to start)
- Payment processing — Stripe or Square (you can send manual invoices initially)
- Client management — Practice Better or Healthie are designed for health coaches; Google Drive works in a pinch
- Communication — email is enough; add a client portal later if needed
What you DON'T need yet: A fancy website, a CRM, an email marketing platform, a podcast, a YouTube channel, or a complex funnel. These come later. Right now, focus on getting clients.
Week 7-8: Create Client Materials
Develop the essentials:
- Intake forms — health history questionnaire, goals assessment, lifestyle inventory
- Welcome packet — what to expect, how to prepare for sessions, your policies
- Session templates — structure for initial consultation and follow-up calls
- Progress tracking tools — simple spreadsheet or form to monitor changes
Professional materials build trust and streamline your workflow. You don't need to create everything from scratch—many certification programs provide templates you can customize.
Days 61-90: Get Clients
Week 9-10: Build Your Visibility
Choose 2-3 marketing channels maximum. Doing a few things consistently beats doing many things sporadically.
Options to consider:
- Social media — Instagram or LinkedIn depending on your niche; post valuable content 3-5x/week
- Content marketing — blog posts, YouTube videos, or a podcast that showcases your expertise
- Local networking — health food stores, gyms, yoga studios, practitioners in adjacent fields
- Professional referrals — chiropractors, acupuncturists, therapists who serve your population
The key: Consistency matters more than perfection. A mediocre post that goes out beats a perfect post that stays in drafts. Show up regularly, provide value, and let people get to know you.
Week 11-12: Launch and Enroll
- Offer free discovery calls — 20-30 minute conversations to assess fit and explain your program
- Share your launch with your personal network (friends, family, former colleagues)
- Reach out directly to people who might benefit or know someone who would
- Consider beta pricing — slightly discounted rate for your first 3-5 clients in exchange for testimonials
Your first clients may come from people who already know and trust you. That's not cheating—that's smart business. They'll provide testimonials and referrals that fuel future growth.
Keys to Long-Term Success
Imperfect Action Beats Perfect Planning
You will never feel "ready." Launch before you feel ready, learn from real client experiences, and iterate. A good plan executed today beats a perfect plan executed never.
Invest in Your Own Development
The best practitioners are perpetual students. Budget for continuing education, business coaching, and your own health optimization. You can't pour from an empty cup.
Build Community
Connect with other practitioners. Share challenges, celebrate wins, get support. The entrepreneurial journey can be lonely—it doesn't have to be. Find your people.
Charge What You're Worth
Underpricing attracts uncommitted clients and leads to resentment and burnout. Your transformation is valuable—price accordingly. The right clients will pay; the wrong clients will price shop. Let them go elsewhere.
The 90-Day Timeline in Summary
- Days 1-14: Define niche and ideal client
- Days 15-30: Create signature offer
- Days 31-45: Set up tech and systems
- Days 46-60: Create client materials
- Days 61-75: Build visibility, start content
- Days 76-90: Launch, offer discovery calls, enroll clients
The timeline is ambitious but achievable. Some practitioners take longer, and that's fine. The key is consistent forward motion. One year from now, you'll be amazed how far you've come.
Your future clients are out there, struggling with problems you know how to solve. They're waiting for you. Don't make them wait too long.
